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Indictment results from images allegedly found on a computer seized from his law office in Montclair
Former Assemblyman Neil M. Cohen (D-Union) was named Thursday in a new indictment that charges him with an additional count of possession of child pornography, Attorney General Anne Milgram announced.
The Division of Criminal Justice obtained the indictment that charges Cohen, 58, with a new count of fourth-degree possession of child pornography in connection with multiple images of child pornography he allegedly possessed on a computer seized from his law office in Montclair, according to Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni.
The new indictment replaces the Dec. 17 indictment which charged Cohen for child pornography found in the 20th Legislative District office in Union Township.
The superseding indictment repeats all four counts of the prior indictment, charging him with second degree official misconduct, second degree reproduction of child pornography, second-degree distribution of child pornography, and fourth degree possession of child pornography.The indictment alleges that Cohen used one or more computers in what was his district office to view child pornography consisting of multiple images of nude underage girls engaged in sexual acts or simulated sexual acts for the purpose of sexual gratification of viewers.
Cohen allegedly used a printer in the office to reproduce copies of the pornography, which he left around where anyone in the office could find and view them.
The indictment was handed up to state Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg in Trenton. Cohen will be ordered to appear in court at a later date to answer the new charge.
Second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a $150,000 fine, while fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to 18 months in prison and a $10,000 fine. The official misconduct charge carries a mandatory minimum sentence of five years without parole.
A copy of the indictment may be read at: www.njpublicsafety.com.
The charges are the result of an investigation by the State Police and the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau. Deputy Attorney General Anthony A. Picione and Deputy Attorney General Robert Rowbotham II presented the case to the state grand jury.
— TOM HESTER SR., NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
